Simson (in-text plate) from mock-up of Georg Heym: Umbra Vitae (Georg Heym: Shadow of Life)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of stylized geometric figures in a patterned composition. The page is from a book and features a poem titled "Simson" written in German. Below the poem, there is an illustrative drawing that accompanies the poem. The illustration depicts abstract, angular figures with sharp edges and geometric patterns. The central figure appears to be wearing a stylized robe with a diamond pattern and a headpiece, standing amid abstract shapes and forms that suggest architectural or furniture elements in the background. The overall style of the drawing is expressionistic, reminiscent of woodcut prints with a high-contrast black and white palette creating an intense, textured appearance.